KAIST International Graduate Admissions Spring 2026 in Korea (Fully Funded)

KAIST’s International Graduate Admissions are now accepting applicants for Spring 2026, offering fully funded Master’s, Master’s-PhD Integrated, and Ph.D. programs across a wide range of fields, including Natural Sciences, Engineering, Life Sciences, Liberal Arts, Business, and Finance (MBA). This opportunity invites international students (non-Korean citizens) who hold, or expect to hold, a relevant degree by February 2026. It includes full tuition, monthly stipends, and health insurance coverage, plus various funding and fee-waiver options. The application deadline is September 2, 2025.

Eligibility

• Open to international applicants (non-Korean citizens)
• Master’s / Master’s-PhD Integrated:
  • must hold or expect to hold a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a four-year Korean bachelor’s by February 2026
• Ph.D.:
  • must hold or expect to hold a Master’s degree by February 2026

English Proficiency

• Applicants must submit one of the following English Proficiency Test (EPT) scores, taken on or after September 2, 2023:
  • TOEFL iBT: Minimum 83 (Home Edition accepted, MyBest Scores not accepted)
  • IELTS (Academic): Minimum 6.5 overall band (IELTS Online accepted, One Skill Retake not accepted)
  • TOEIC: Minimum 720 (Listening & Reading)
  • TEPS: Minimum 326

Note: Exemptions (no EPT required if one of the following applies):

• Citizenship or completion of a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in countries such as Australia, Canada, the UK, or the USA
• A degree from an English-medium institution in countries like India, Singapore, or South Africa (must submit a Certificate of English Medium of Instruction)
• Expected graduation from a KAIST degree program in February 2026

Note: Programs such as GDI-ITTP and KINS-KAIST do not require EPT scores.

Faculty Contact

• Master’s Applicants: Generally, prior communication with faculty is not required, but some programs may mandate it. Applicants should check their specific program’s website for detailed requirements.
• Doctoral and Master’s–Ph.D. Applicants: Must identify a faculty advisor from their chosen department and indicate the advisor’s name in the application. Prior communication with the advisor is highly recommended.

Program Dates / Location

• Application Deadline: September 2, 2025 (5 P.M. KST)
• Letter of recommendation deadline: September 9, 2025
• Programs begin: Spring 2026
• Location: KAIST, Daejeon, South Korea

Program Benefits

• Full tuition waiver (no tuition fees)
• Monthly living stipend (approx. 350,000 KRW per month for Master’s, varies by department, advisor, and research involvement)
• National health insurance
• Optional self-funding or external sponsorship alternatives available
• Application fee of USD 80 

Note: This scholarship is based on academic performance and potential, assessed via application materials

Fields of Study

College of Natural Science

• Physics
• Mathematical Sciences
• Chemistry
• Graduate School of Quantum Science and Technology

College of Life Science and Bioengineering

• Biological Sciences
• Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering
• Brain & Cognitive Sciences
• Graduate School of Engineering Biology
• Graduate School of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology

College of Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• School of Computing
• Civil and Environmental Engineering (includes Environmental and Energy Technology Program)
• Bio and Brain Engineering (includes Brain and Cognitive Engineering)
• Industrial Design
• Industrial & Systems Engineering (includes Graduate School of Data Science)
• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Materials Science & Engineering
• Nuclear and Quantum Engineering
• Cho Chun Shik Graduate School of Mobility
• Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI
• Graduate School of Green Growth and Sustainability

College of Liberal Arts and Convergence Science

• School of Digital Humanities and Computational Social Sciences
• Graduate School of Culture Technology
• Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy

College of Business (Daejeon Campus)

• Business and Technology Management
• Graduate School of Global Digital Innovation

College of Business (Seoul Campus)

• Management Engineering
• Finance MBA (Professional Master’s – MBA)

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare the following materials and upload them as PDF files in the online application portal:

• Passport Copy: A clear scan of the applicant’s valid passport (ID pages).
• Parents’ Identification: Copies of both parents’ ID documents to verify nationality and financial background. If only one parent has legal custody, submit that parent’s citizenship certificate.
• Proof of Family Relationship: Such as a family registration certificate or birth certificate. Applicants of Korean ethnicity must also provide a Certificate of Renunciation of Korean Citizenship (if relevant).
• Academic Records: Official degree certificates and transcripts from bachelor’s and/or master’s studies. Combine these into a single PDF file.
• English Proficiency Evidence: A valid English Proficiency Test (EPT) score report, or supporting documents for an exemption.
• Funding Verification: Scholarship or sponsorship confirmation letter, if the applicant is supported by external funding.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV/Resume): No fixed format; should summarize academic and professional background.
• Optional Supporting Materials: Documents such as employment certificates, awards, or other program-specific requirements.

Document Guidelines

• Scan Quality: Upload clear scans of original or certified copies. Blurry or illegible files may negatively impact your evaluation.
• Translations: Any document not in English or Korean must be translated by a public notary and submitted along with the original.
• Final Submission (for admitted students): Degree certificates and transcripts must be provided as apostilled or consular-legalized copies.

Application Process

Step 1: Program & Personal Information

• Create an account in KAIST's application system, select your intended degree program and major, and upload a recent portrait photo.
• Provide personal details and a valid email address (used as your login ID).
• Upload identification documents: applicant’s passport, parents’ ID, and family registration certificate.
• Indicate financial resources (e.g., KAIST Scholarship, self-funding, or external sponsorship).

Step 2: Academic & Professional Background

• Enter your full academic history, English proficiency test scores, work experience, and recommender details.
• Upload certified degree certificates and transcripts as a single PDF file.
• Provide professional/institutional email addresses of two recommenders for verification.

Step 3: Statement of Purpose

• Answer short questions about your academic background, motivation, study plan, and career goals (up to 500 bytes each).
• Upload a detailed Statement of Purpose (up to 5,000 bytes).

Step 4: Document Submission

• Upload your CV/Resume in PDF format (no fixed template).
• Optionally submit supporting documents, such as certificates of awards, honors, or publications.
• Include any program-specific additional documents, if required.

Step 5: Application Fee

• Pay a non-refundable fee of USD 80 (credit card is recommended, but bank transfer and other methods are available).

Note: Applicants don’t need to apply separately for funding. When filling in the Statement of Financial Resources, if you select “KAIST Scholarship,” you will automatically be considered.